Peripheral data storage device with dock charge pass-through connector and optional microsd slots and accompanying device and host software for apple iphone and ipod devices

ABSTRACT

A peripheral data storage device for Apple iPhone and iPod devices having an encasement containing a system of electronic circuits which communicates with the iPhone or iPod by means of a host software system and a device software system. The device also has a charge pass through connector and optional card slots. Various views of the device are shown in FIGS.  1 - 5.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationEFS ID 4143296, Application No. 61/106,809, Confirmation Number 1621filed Oct. 20, 2008 by the above-mentioned inventors.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This application relates to Apple iPhone and iPod peripherals,specifically to a peripheral device which stores data.

2. Prior Art

Data-intensive applications for the iPhone and iPod such as PodCastshave increased memory usage at a great rate. Thus, many users areexhausting the built-in memory. These users seek additional memory fortheir devices. There is no peripheral device that provides a storagesolution for these iPod and iPhone users.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the device disconnected from the iPhone, with dockpass-through connector, optional microSD slots, and dock connector forconnection to iPhone.

FIG. 2 is a view of the back side of the iPhone with the deviceconnected, showing the optional microSD slots.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device on the iPhone, showing the optionalmicroSD slots

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the iPhone with the device attached.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the iPhone with the device attached.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 device

110 dock pass-through connector

111 optional microSD slots

112 dock connector for connection to the iPhone

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hardware Form Factor (Encasement)

The Form Factor (Encasement) is shown in the drawings:

-   -   FIG. 1 shows the device disconnected from the iPhone, with dock        pass-through connector, optional microSD slots, and dock        connector for connection to iPhone.    -   FIG. 2 is a view of the back side of the iPhone with the device        connected, showing the optional microSD slots.    -   FIG. 3 is a side view of the device on the iPhone, showing the        optional microSD slots    -   FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the iPhone with the device attached.    -   FIG. 5 is a rear view of the iPhone with the device attached.

Hardware Contents (System of Electrical Circuits):

The contents of the above packaging will contain any number of thefollowing electrical components as well as any other electricalcomponents which might be necessary for operation:

-   -   Memory Components    -   Memory Cards    -   Controllers    -   PCBs    -   Interconnect    -   Capacitors    -   Oscillators

Device Software:

The software of the storage device will contain any number of thefollowing items as well as any other software that might be necessaryfor operation of the storage device:

-   -   Memory Management Software (Error Correction, Wear Leveling,        etc.)    -   Custom Content (Data, Video, Images, Music, Documents, etc.)    -   Security    -   Digital Rights Management        Host (iPod or iPhone) Software:

The software of the host (iPod or iPhone) will contain any number of thefollowing items as well as any other software that might be necessaryfor operation of the host with the storage device:

-   -   Host Application Interface Software    -   Data Translation Software    -   Memory Management Software    -   Content    -   Content Enabling Software    -   Security    -   Digital Rights Management

Operation

In operation one uses the storage device 100 as an attachment to theiPhone or iPOD. The storage device and host software allow the user torecord content, store it on the storage device, retrieve the content ina secure way, and display/play the content on the host device. The usermay install the host software by downloading it from the Internet. Or,the software may come pre-loaded on either the host or the storagedevice. Multiple hosts will be able to operate with the same card(device) in accordance with security and digital rights management.

The Pass-through Connector 110 allows the user to connect additionaldevices (such as chargers) to the iPhone or iPod while keeping thestorage device attached and operational.

The optional microSD slots 111 allow the user to insert microSD cardsinto the storage device and record content, store it on the microSDcards, retrieve the content from the microSD cards in a secure way, anddisplay/play the content from the microSD cards on the host iPod oriPhone device.

Advantages

From the description above, it is evident that users who need additionalmemory for their iPhone or iPod now have a peripheral storage devicewhich allows the user to record content, store it on the storage device,retrieve the content in a secure way, and display/play the content onthe host device. Previously, these users had no way of extending thememory capabilities of their iPhone or iPod.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that content makers (makers of video,music, maps, etc.) application makers (makers of games, GPS, livebroadcasting, etc.) are no longer limited by the hardware present on theiPhone and iPod. Instead, content makers and application makers are nowliberated to fully leverage the iPhone and iPod platform. Users, too,are freed from the limitations inherent to their iPhone or iPod device.As Moore's law continues to enable more and more memory, controller,data transmission speed, and software power for this peripheral device,there is virtually no limitation to the types of content andapplications that can be used with the iPhone and iPod. The devices thathave changed the world have now reached their maximum potential tocontent makers, application makers, and users alike!

1. A machine, comprising: a. an encasement for electronic circuits, b. asystem of electronic circuits mounted inside said encasement, c. adevice software means inside said system of electronic circuits fortransmitting and receiving data to and from the iPhone or iPod device,d. a host software means inside the iPhone or iPod for transmitting andreceiving data to and from said system of electronic circuits, i.whereby a user's iPod or iPhone has access to additional storage beyondthat built in the iPod or iPhone.
 2. The machine of claim 1 wherein saidencasement has a pass through connector for connection with iPhone andiPod peripheral connections such as a charger.
 3. The machine of claim 1wherein said system of electronic circuits includes a memory card orcards.
 4. The machine of claim 1 wherein said encasement includes slotsfor connection to memory cards.
 5. The machine of claim 1 wherein saidsystem of electronic circuits includes controller for the transmissionand reception of data to and from the iPhone or iPod device wirelessly.6. The machine of claim 1 wherein said encasement includes the iPhone'sstandard Dock Connector for transmission and reception of data to andfrom the iPod or iPhone directly.
 7. The machine of claim 1 wherein saidsystem of electronic circuits includes transmitter for the transmissionand reception of data to and from the iPhone or iPod device wirelesslyand said encasement includes the iPhone's standard Dock Connector fortransmission and reception of data to and from the iPod or iPhonedirectly.
 8. A method of transmitting and receiving data to and from asystem of electronic systems comprising: a. providing an encasement forelectronic circuits, b. mounting a system of electronic circuits insidesaid encasement, c. loading a device software means into the said systemof electronic circuits for transmitting and receiving data to and fromthe iPhone or iPod device, d. loading a host software means into theiPhone or iPod device for transmitting and receiving data to and fromthe said system of electronic circuits. i. whereby a user's iPod oriPhone has access to additional storage beyond that built in the iPod oriPhone.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said encasement has a passthrough connector for connection with iPhone and iPod peripheralconnections such as a charger.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein saidsystem of electronic circuits includes a memory card or cards.
 11. Themethod of claim 8 wherein said encasement includes slots for connectionto memory cards.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein said system ofelectronic circuits includes controller for the transmission andreception of data to and from the iPhone or iPod device wirelessly. 13.The method of claim 8 wherein said encasement includes the iPhone'sstandard Dock Connector for transmission and reception of data to andfrom the iPod or iPhone directly.
 14. The method of claim 8 wherein saidsystem of electronic circuits includes transmitter for the transmissionand reception of data to and from the iPhone or iPod device wirelesslyand said encasement includes the iPhone's standard Dock Connector fortransmission and reception of data to and from the iPod or iPhonedirectly.